WE SAY: Time to face reality, take action on climate change

Southward migration of species like the box jellyfish could have disastrous impacts on ecosystems. Contributed

THE science of climate change has been firmly established and presents a challenge that can not be avoided.

New research partnered by the University of the Sunshine Coast makes clear that without a change to a less carbon-intense existence, migration of marine species will lead to a reduction in their diversity and a change in the composition of marine life off our beaches.

There will be competition between species that have not previously interacted with uncertainty about which will dominate into the future. This could have potentially disastrous impacts if the southward migration of venomous stingers like the box jelly fish continues.

The new research conducted in collaboration with the University of Queensland found that change in the tropics was likely to be unavoidable but that impacts elsewhere could be mitigated if we embrace a future less reliant on fossil fuels.

The electorate should no longer tolerate politicians unwilling to accept that reality.

Change will come at a cost but nowhere near that of continuing to do business as usual.